Moment Rangers ultras dramatically WALK OUT of Ibrox in major anti-board protest but receive angry response from stands
MANY Rangers fans have seen enough and they’ve now dramatically voted with their feet.
But the anti-board protest certainly didn’t receive a unanimously positive response as civil war broke out at Ibrox.
Ultras group the Union Bears followed through with their plans to sensationally WALK OUT during the clash with St Johnstone in a protest against the club’s current situation and leadership.
Rangers went into the game 18 points behind Celtic in the Scottish Premiership table amid another horror run of form.
Failure to win their two games either side of that derby victory has seen the pressure piled on manager Philippe Clement, with many Gers fans in Dundee on Thursday turning on the boss.
Travelling supporters booed and chanted for Clement to go after the Light Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by the Dee at Dens Park.
The Rangers Supporters Association publicly demanded Clement be removed as manager.
Clement insisted he still had the ‘200 per-cent backing’ of the Rangers board.
And on Saturday afternoon, new Ibrox CEO Patrick Stewart gave Clement a vote of confidence.
He said: “We are backing Philippe at this time as a board.”
Stewart did, however, warn Clement that results must improve with the Gers in the midst of a hideous run away from form, dropping 20 points from a possible 33 this season in the league.
However, the CEO’s comments didn’t go down well with Gers fans and sparked a furious response.
Ultras group the Union Bears subsequently released a blistering statement criticising the board and insisting it’s time for supporters to take action.
They urged fans to join them in walking OUT of the stadium during the 55th minute of the match in protest against those running the club.
The group, who sit in the Copland Front at Ibrox, usually sing and make noise for the entire game.
However, they chose to sit in silence on this occasion, creating a somewhat eerie atmosphere at Ibrox.
Ten minutes into the game, they unfurled the first of two angry banners, reading: “Fans gave all while you let our standards fall.”
A second banner then read: “Our loyalty is not a free pass for failure.”
In the 52nd minute, another banner was unfurled reading: “Time for fans to force change.”
And then on 55 minutes, they followed through with their dramatic walk out plans.
The group got up, turned around and walked out of the stadium leaving an empty space in the Copland Front.
Some other fans from around the stadium also got up and left but it was by no means a unanimous response as the majority stayed.
There were also audible BOOS from around Ibrox as the ultras made their exit as other supporters raged at the ultras for deserting the team.
The Union Bears exited and subsequently gathered outside the stand just up from the Walter Smith statue.
In their statement on Saturday evening, the Union Bears said: “The Union Bears alongside the Rangers Supporters Association urge all fans to leave the stadium in the 55th minute during tomorrow’s match – to send a statement to the board.
“Just as they gave up on Rangers after our 55th title, we will no longer tolerate their incompetence, excuses, and disrespect.
“The board used our 55th title as free reign to coast on success, masking their lack of vision and leadership while dragging our club into mediocrity.
“These actions may seem drastic, but they are necessary.
“The board has failed us for too long, and our loyalty will no longer be used as a pass for their failure. The Rangers support cannot stop until there is accountability, ambition, and leadership worthy of our club.”
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